Loading-machine.



F. K. HOLMESTED.

LOADING MACHINE. APPLIOATION.I ILED DEG. 31, 1908.

944,438. m 4 Patented Dec. 28, 1909.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

wzzeJ sees Q fizvelzzan I awjfai fiflozinedzed F. K HOLMESTED;

LOADING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED DBO. 31,1908.

Patented Dec. 28, 1909.,

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

F. K. HOLMESTE D. LOADING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED DEG.31,1908.

944,438. Patented Dec. 28, 1909.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

V FRANCIS KEITH HOLMESTED, or QUnvNmoNr, WEST VIRGINIA.

LOADING-MACHINE.

Specification ofLetters Patent. Patented Dec, 28, 1909. Application filed December 31, 1908. Serial No. 470,234.

Homins'rno, a subject of the King of England, residing at Quinnimont, in the county of Fayette and State of Vest V1rg1n1a, have invented new and useful Improvements in lioading ltlachines of I which the following is a specification. r

This invention relates to a loading machine or apparatus for use with loose material and particularly adapted to transfer coal from a pile, bin, or other place of storage to a car or cars and having an automatic operation to facilitatevthe elevation or disposition of coal" or other loose material in a carrying or transporting means at'a mini mized expense by dispensing with and obviating the usual manual methods.

The improved machine or apparatus 1s, portable and may be readily moved. fromv one place to another without confinement to any particular form of track means and may be conveniently arranged in operative relation to a pile of loose material or coal and a car or other receptacle to be loaded 7 without reql'iiring the car or receptacle to be disposed in a precise position relatively to the material to be loaded thereinto.

The machine or apparatus also includes a motive means and cooperating mechanism whereby it may be readily'moved over the ground surface to an operative positionand either forwardly toward and partially in engagement with the loose material or coal to be loaded or backwardly from the latter as conditions and change of position may require, or the machine may be permitted through the operation of the mechanism to remain in a fixed position while loading the loose material .or coal. I

It is preferred that the machine or apparatus embody in its organization motive means and cooperative propulsive mechanism, but the portability of the machine is not confined to the use of any particular operating mechanism, the essential character stics in this respect being the ready movability of the machine from one place or position to another without the use of a track means. i

A further essential feature of the present machine is a conveying means adjustable upwardly and downwardly and in opposite lateral directions without in the least modifying the effectiveness of "the actuating mechanism or affecting the operationof the feeding means at the receptive extremity of the machine. I

Other structural advantages will be hereinafter more fully specified, and a preferred form of the improvements is illustrated in the accompanying drawings for the purpose of demonstrating a practical application of the same, but itwill be understood that the invention is n0t limited or confine'dtothe precise construction which will be hereinafter veXpIainedand particularly to the actuating mechanismand motive means or to any particular form of motive means and cooperative mechanism geared thereto.

In the, drawings: Figure 1 is'a perspective view of a loading machine or apparatus embodying the features of the invention and shown applied in operative position- Fig. 2 is-a top pla'n'view of a portion of the machine or apparatus and articularly showing the receiving frame an feeding meansan movable, deflector and a portion of the ,con-

veyer or conveying means in operative associat on with the feeding means. F1g..3.1s a side elevation of the mechanlsm as. shown by Fig. 2. Fig. 4 illustrates ahoriz ontal section taken through a portion of the mechanism shown by Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a top plan VIEW of thereceivmg frame and a portion of the actuating mechanism and illustrating the feedin means and motive means removed. Fig. 6 is a longitudinal vertical section of the mechanism as shown by Fig. 2.; Fig. 7 is a detail plan view of the upper extremity of the conveying means.

. The present machine or apparatus embodies many features of improvement of the apparatus or loading device disclosed by my Patent No. 839,997, dated January 1, 1907. In this patent the machine. is confined to operation on a, fixed track means, and. the feeding means, consisting of a revoluble platform, wheel or plate, delivers the loose material into a conveying means having a fixed position, and from this conveying means the coal into cars, but the machine embodying the present features of invention has a greater scope andusefulness in the particulars which will ,be hereinafter explained.

"bevel gear 24 continually mesheswitha bevel Referring to the drawings, the numeral 1 j designates a recelvingframe which s down- I ity 2 and has a flaring side or guardafil extending fully thereoverito the discharge or,

I a "wardly inclined toward its receptive .extrem- I I V an upwardly projecting post 31 extending a,

rear extremity, the latterextrernity being i preferably elevated. The feedingmeans consists of a revoluble jplatformyivheel'or plate lofdisk-like form and inclined toward the" t receptive extremity of the frame 1, the said; framefl bein gprovidedwith a top plate 5 vhich" overlaps or projects over thelower g pinion 30 on thennder side of the center of the feodin means or therevolnhle platform, a wheel or plate 4. J 1

J The platform, wheel ortplate l rotates on suitable distance abovewthe said "platform and secured at its lower extremity inthe longitudinal suppo1ft9,.the gear 30, hi'chis I fixed to the pla tform,'alsorotating'or revolt.- 7'5- ing with said platformaround thepost. t

Disposed over the p'latt'orm ,wheel or plate i at a point ,o'ppositexxthex tlaring side .or

portion of the feedin means, "clearly shownby' Fig. (t. The IHfIlO/l also includes in its organization .a horizontal base frame flcomprisin vsidebars 6' and a rear end cross bar 7, an transverse and longitudinal sup ports 8 and 9 aswell as other reinforcing and supporting means which will; be herein- "after incidentally referred to in explaining the position of theseveral operative mechanisms. J An axle 10'extendstransversely across the-base frame and-engages suitable bear- .ing devices carried by the side bars 6' and 1 c-vided with opposite clutch heads 13 and 14,;

is .providedf'on its opposite extremities, pref- Terablyoutside ofthe said 1 side b'arfsfwith' y ground-wheels supplielxlwiltgr e e. a

Ont

tractive devices.

sleeve 12is'shiftab1 mounted and is proand adj acent to theclutch head 14 the sleeve 12' has a shifting collar 15 with which a Shiftin'g lever 16 cooperates and is deflected or'bent to'extend outwardly at one side of (the frame. The shiftin lever 16 has its in- I ner' extremity fulcruine as fat 17 to a cross support/18 which provides a'bearing fora cou'nterslia'ft 19 carrying a pinion 20 at its "rear end to mesh with either of theheads 13 and 14 forthe purpose of nioving'theina chinein opposite, forward andrearwarddi' 'rections'j'or by suitably adjusting the sleeve 12 the pinion 20 may occupy a posit-ionbe- VY tweenthe'heads 1'3 and 14 atfa time when the Y I properly 'adjustedfor loading operation.

Y bearing brackets 22 projecting rearwardly through the medium of a suitable [worm t gear1ng'25. The cooperatlngelenients of the worm gearing 25 are respectivelycarried by 1 thesha fts '19 and'21'and always remain in the; medium of a "driving" pimon'26 in conthe conveyingfmeans wl1ichdeliversthe loose the several parts of the machine, ,and' the ganiaaition and independent aszto titsfopera- Be v wardly and also'the transportation. of the complete, machine, and-also the operation "of 901 material fronrthe feeding means 'to the car or receptacle to beloaded and which will be more fully, hereinafter explained; The

l part'icular characteristics and type; of this I motive means are not essential; and it is .in-

tended to use any motive meansadapted for r the purpose and to support the same on :the I 'framel, preferably in the-positionshown 1 Noother'motive meansisrequn'ed to, actuate f organizatifi bfthe 'motive meansand'eooperating mechanismexplained and], which i will be more fully; hereinafter [referredtop thetinachineis renderedcomplete in vits or tion of anypower generating means located i in" a "planter central station and; therefore t I l t the improved machine may .be'foperated at 5' 1 any point where its service desiredwithout the inconvenience of mod fying'orsup- 1,1

g I plyingconnecting shafting or gearing. vmachine s in fixed posltionbr'has been Arranged tgover and 1 extending partially across the feeding triednaconsisting of the plat-form, vwheel or plate 4, is a movable de- 1 flector in the form ofanendle'ss belt 36 hav- 11. mg lags, buckets, or analogous dev cesriij and movable toward the rearlof themachine fi'oin'the support ,8, the, said shaft 21 being parallel-with the support :8 and having on 1 its outer and inner extremities suitable bevel l gea'rs28 anrlQ-t anddriving the shaft 191;

l I l tinual mesh with a pinionv 27 on the inner end of avmotor d riven shaft QS having on its outer extremitya sprocket wheel29. The i or in such direction as to cause' the loose material, such as coal, brought around I against the said. deflector by the feeding 0 means, or revolnble "platform 4 m begdelivered from therear portion ofthelatter. The pa'rtfof themovable deflector whichfis v 1 engagedby the loose material isbraced or g I held in positive working position by a fixed I253 mesh, and the shaft 21is actuated through i t i t l tions of tlie movable defleetoriiasg s partition 38, an(lain terpjosedbetweenv he porown by Fig; 4; A suitable spool or sleevc" 39.1%: fitted f over the upwardly projecting portion, of the" jpost 31*andconstitute's-a roll'eroven which, 9 5

44 provided with a pinion at?) at its forward extremity held in continual mesh with the pinon 23 on the outer end of the power transmitting shaft 21.

Cooperating with the rear portion of the feeding means is a delivery conveying means 46 which is adjustable upwardly and down- I wardly and in opposite lateral directions and the conveying belt or analogous movable element 4? thereof is actuated to have a rearward movement toward the outlet extremity t8 of said conveying means by a roller 49 at c said extremity and which is actuated by a shaft 50 extending along the side of the conveying means and provided with a bevel i pinion 51 meshing with a similar pinion 52 on one extremity of the spindle or shaft of the roller 49. The shaft 50 is practically a continuation of the shaft 44, a flexible connection 53 being interposed between the two shafts 44 and 50 and may be of any preferred type, this flexible connection as shown being in the form of a suitable length of flexible shafting. This flexible connection between the shafts 44 and 50 compensates for the adjustment of the delivery conveying means.

From the foregoing description and as hereinhefore noted it will be observed that all of the movable parts are controlled as to their actuation from the motive means 3; and the several elements specified are disposed at an angle relatively to the inclination' of the feeding m nus and the several parts of the frame 4 and particularly the plate 5 coi'ipeating with the said feeding means or supporting the latter. This mechanism presents a very effective actuating organization. but it is obvious that it may 'be modified. and that the invention is not confined to the precise elements hereinbe forc particularly described.

The roller 3%) not only serves as an engaging means for the movable deflector or convcyer E .but prevents dust and grit from clogging the bearing for said roller orv the post 31. As an incidental protective feature a portion of the movable deflector or. conveycr an. the motive means and the mechanism below are covered by a dust hood or housing .34 of the shape shown particularly by Figs 1. 2 and 3 and applied in such manner as to avoid the least interference with the operation of the movable deflector or conveyer. This hood or housings'il is open at its outer portion to give access to the motive mean rear of the movable deflector or conveyer and supported by the frame 1 is a rigid extension 55. and hinged thereto and also to the rear end of the flared side 3 are guards M3 and 57 which movably project into the conveying means 46 between the sides of the latter. and cooperating with the lower portions of these guards are elongated upstanding flanges or shields 58. The lower end of the conveying means projects under the rear extremity of the frame 1 far enough for the feeding means or revolublc platform "f to permit the latter to effectively deposit the loose material on the belt or analogous device f7 and is fulcrumcd as at 59 on the base of the frame 1 or on the center of the rear cross bar 7 oftlie said base, the fulcrum means being preferably in the form of a ball and socket joint as shown, by Fig. (3, to permitthe delivery conveying means 46 to be raised or lowered and adjusted laterally in opposite directions at any angle desired with respect to the car or receptacle to be loaded and the most effective position of the feeding means embodying the revoluble platform. wheel or plate -'t relatively to the loose material into which the receptive or front extremity 2 of the frame 1 may be projected. In the adjustmentof thc conveying means it; no openings will be formed between the rear portion of the feeding means and the said conveying means owing to the fact that the guards at and 57 will slide longitudinally into or outwardly from the portions with which they engage and also move away from and toward the bottom of the conveying means without producing a gap owing to the flanges or shields 58 and the overlap of the sides of the conveying means by the said guards 56 and 57. this means the loose material discharged from the revoluble platform, wheel or plate 4 will with certainty be deposited upon the belt or analogous conveyingmeans 47 irrespective of the adjustment of the said conveying means or the position of the feeding means relatively to the delivery conveying means it The outlet extremity 48 of the conveying means it; is positively supported in accordance with the elevation of said extremity by hinged legs (it) which may be turned or shifted at any angle found neccs sary under the conveying means and held in fixed position by braces (31 movably attached to the sides of the, conveying means and formed with a plurality of openings o2 adapted to register with a single opening 3 in each of the legs, the openings 2 and or, having pins 64 removably titted therein.

This prop means for the outlet extremity of the conveying means is a very simple mode of holding the said extremity of the convcying means vat the elc'ation desired. but it will be understood that any other means and cooperating mechanism. Directly in 1 maybe substituted therefor and in some mstances a prop means may be unnecessary as the outlet extremity of the conveying means could be supported on the. sideof the air or other receptacle.

The operation of the machine will be readily understood from the foregoing de scription, butto briefly summarize the same, maybe stated that the receptive extrenr ity of theframe 1 is caused to penetrate or be located in feeding proximity to a pile of coal or other loose material, and the con veying means 46 will'be shifted or adjusted eitherupwardly, downwardly, or laterally as may-be required to place it in the most effective position relatively to the car or receptacle to be loaded. The feeding means consisting of therevoluble platform, wheel or plate 4 is then set in motion and the loose material deposited thereon through the receptive extremity of the frame is carried around and upwardly adjacent to the flaring side 3 and brought into contact with the movable deflector or conveyer .36 which forces the loose material rearwardly into the delivery conveying means between the guards 56 and 57, and by the said delivery l conveying means the loose material is'finally deposited in the car or receptacle. An effective incidental feature of construction consists inroughening the upper surface of.

the revoluble platform, wheel orplate 4 or in providing the latter with, projecting means to set up an adherence of the loose material or coal with the upper surface of the said revoluble'platform, and in'the present instance this rougheningmeans is shown in the form of rivet or bolt heads 65 arranged in curved lines and having a clearance with relation to the fixed partition 38 by the formation of openin s 66 in the lower edge of said partition. t is to be understood, however, that, any meansjma'y be employed -for'rougheningthe upper surface of the platform 4 and the invention is not limited in the useof the precise means as shown and "described. At any time during the loading means cooperating with the frame and pro-' vided with means for rendering the same movable upwardly and downwardly and laterally in opposite directions independently of movement ofsaid feeding means.

2. In a loading machine, a frame. for receiving loose material a revoluble feeding.

.ently of movement of said feedingmeans;

means mounted in the frame, and conveying means coopcrat-ingwith the frame and 'provided with means forrenderingthefisame movable upwardly and downwardly and laterally in opposite directions independ- 3. In a loading'machine,a frame -for receiving loose mat erial, afeeding. means mounted :in the frame at an inclinatiom fand conveying means cooperating with the frame and providedwithmeans forrendering the same movable upwardlyand downwardly and laterally inopposite directions independently of movement of said feeding means.

- at. In a-loading machine, a frame for r ceiving loose-inatenal, a 'revoluble. feeding tion, and conveying means cooperating with the frame andprovided with means r dering the same mov bl upwardly an downwardly and laterally in oppositedir means mounted in the frame at an inclines.

tions independently" of movement of jsaid feeding meansi a 5. In a loading machine, a frame for receiving loose material, feeding meansimountled in theframe, and'a delivery conveying means-for receiving material fronrthe "feeding means and provided with means'forirendirections independently of movement of said feeding means,

' 6. Ina'loading machine, a frame for r e celvlng loose mater1 al,"a Yfeedmg imeans dering the-same movable inoppo sitelateral mounted in the frame, conveying. means adj u'stably cooperating with 1 the: said 1 feed ing means, and mechanism for actuatingthe said feeding-means and conveying means and for moving the entiremachine and car-. ried by thelatter. 3 6' Ina loading, machine, frame for lQ-f j ceiving loose material, a feeding -xmean's mounted in the frame, a deflector movable across the feeding means, a deliveryconveying means adjustably cooperating withthe said feeding means, and mechanism foractuatmg the feeding means, deflector andconvcying means'and for moving "the entire machine andv carried by the'latte'ra 8. In aloading machine, a. frame'for re ceiving loose material, a feedingtmeans mounted inthe frame, aconveying means 00- ope *ating with the feeding "means; and

mechanism including motive :means for actuating the said feeding and conveying; means and for-moving the entire machine and carried by the latter;

9. Ina loading macl1ine,"afframe'for're Y ceiving loose material having1a revoluble feeding means therein, a conveying means for receiving the loose material" from the said feedingmeans and movable to different.

angular positions relatively to theframe i a in the conve in means and-mechanaz; I

and feeding means,- guard means inovablyl' connected to the framev and shiftablyg eng ism for operating the feeding and conveying means.

10. In a-loadmg mach1ne, a frame for receiving loose material having a feeding means movably mounted therein, 'a conveymeans and "a wheeled axle operatlve thereby to niove the entire machme from 'one place ing means for receii ingrthe loose material w from the feeding means and movable to different angular positions relatlvely to the frame and feeding means, and guard means movably interposed between the frame and feeding means and the conveying means.

' 11. In a loading machine, a frame for re-v ceiving loose material having a: feeding means .movably mounted therein and provided with a. roughened surface, and a conveying means cooperating with the frame and to which the feeding means delivers the' loose-material.

v 12. In a loading machine, a frame to receive loose material having a feeding means movably mountedv there n and'provided with projections on its upper surface, a movable deflector extending over a portion of the feeding-means, the projections moving under the deflector and clearing the latter,'and a conveying means cooperating with the frame and to which the feeding means delivers -the loose mat-eria'l with the assistance of the deflector.

I 30. n n n 'ceive lOOSGIl'lfllBIlfil having alfeedmgmeans 13. In a loading machine, a frame to removably mounted therein and provided with rojectlons on its upper surface, a movable deflectorextending over a portion of the feeding means, a fixed partition cooperating with a part of the deflector and having openings in its lower edge to. ermit the projections to clear the, same, an a convey.

ing means towhich the feeding means delivers the loose material with the assistance of the deflector. 1 i I 14. In a loading machine, a feeding means for engagement withloose-material and havin a fixed position when operated, and a de iv'ery conveying mcansfor receiving the loose material from said feeding means and provided with means for renderin the same movable upwardly and downwar ly and in opposite lateral directions without modifying the position of the feeding means.

15. Ina loading machine, a movable feeding means, a portable frame carrying said means, an adjustable delivery conveying means supported byand movable with the said frame, and actuating mechanism for the feeding and conveying means'also carried by said frame and includlng a mot ve to another and for advanc'ingand backing the machinerelatively to the loose materia 16. In a loading machine, movable feeding means, delivery conveying means cooperating with the said feeding means, a

portable frame carrying the said feeding and 'co'nveylng' means, and actuating mech-' anism including a motive means for con trolling the operation of the feeding and I conveying means and 'the movement of -the portable frame from one place to another or toward and. from the material tobe loaded and having'devices for'per-mitting the frame.- to remain in fixed position'durmg the actu-- ation' of the feeding and conveying means. I

17. In a loadingmachine, a frame having a feeding means movably mounted therein, a conveying feeding means and movably. held by the frame and provided with actuating devices, the conveying means being'provided with means for rendering it movable upwardly,

downwardly and laterally in opposite direc tions, and'mechanism for operating the feeding and conveying means and including a movable'connection to compensate for the movement of the conveying means.

means cooperating with the 18. 111 a loading machine, a frame having I.

a movable deflector arranged over the feeding means, a conveying means cooperating a feeding means movably mounted therein,

with the feeding means, mechanism for.

driving the feeding means, deflector and conveying means and including -a motive means, and a dust hood or protector ap ilied over the mechanism and a. portion of the deflector. a In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FRANCIS KEITH HOLMESTED;

Witnesses: I

\ CHAS. S. HYER, C. A. Rows; 

